Most of the more than 600 teenagers waiting for a place in Rio de Janeiro's socio-educational system are responsible for criminal acts similar to drug trafficking and association for drug trafficking. This is what a survey by the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ) shows, which outlined the profile of young people who should be hospitalized, but remain free due to lack of vacancies.
The survey, with data from October 13, considers adolescents in two situations: 204 have already received a court decision ordering hospitalization, while another 400 had provisional hospitalization determined and should be in a unit while awaiting trial.
Among the other infractions identified, 28 teenagers were waiting for a place after cases of major robbery, which involve violence or serious threats. Another 17 were responsible for qualified robbery and six for simple robbery.
The survey also identified six teenagers involved in criminal acts similar to sexual crimes and four in cases of homicide or attempted homicide. Another 15 were charged with different criminal acts, such as simple robbery, private militia, carrying a weapon and kidnapping.
Vacancy center considers the severity of the infraction
Since 2021, the Vacancy Center has organized the waiting list and established criteria to define which teenagers have priority to enter the inpatient units.
The score varies according to the severity of the infraction. Simple theft receives three points, the lowest score. Qualified theft totals four; trafficking, seven; simple robbery, 12; and aggravated robbery, 13.
Next, simple homicide appears, with 14 points; qualified homicide, with 20; and robbery — robbery followed by death —, with 28 points.
According to prosecutor Afonso Henrique Lemos, the score mainly considers the severity of the conduct and the presence of violence or serious threat. The higher the score, the higher the priority in the queue.
History shows repetition and worsening of infractions
The Public Prosecutor's Office also identified the history of a teenager who is currently awaiting a place to be released into custody. Records show a sequence of occurrences since he was 14 years old.
In July 2023, he stole two knives valued at R$73 from a shopping mall in Campo Grande, in the West Zone of Rio. He was apprehended and received the provision of services as a socio-educational measure.
In January 2024, he was approached at Via Parque station with small amounts of marijuana, crack and perfume. At the time, he received a warning.
Two months later, in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, he tried to steal a driver's cell phone. The victim got into a physical fight with the teenager and suffered an injury to his arm. This time, the court ordered hospitalization.
During the period in which he was serving the measure, the teenager committed an act of sexual violence against another inmate. Even so, he left the unit four months later.
In March 2025, he stole a cell phone from Aterro do Flamengo. Because of his history, the court ordered provisional hospitalization, but he was released because there was no place available.
Five months later, in August, when he was 17 years old, he was apprehended in Recreio dos Bandeirantes with a 9 mm caliber pistol, a magazine and 24 rounds of ammunition. He told the police that he was part of the militia. Once again, he was admitted to hospital, but was not sent to a unit due to lack of space.
For prosecutor Afonso Henrique Lemos, the delay in applying the socio-educational measure may contribute to the repetition and worsening of infractions.
Rio has 101 places for hospitalization
The city of Rio de Janeiro has only 101 places for admission in the socio-educational system. A teenager can remain hospitalized for up to three years, but the average length of stay is seven months.
The prosecutor questions the system's ability to meet society's needs and promote the resocialization of adolescents.
When contacted by RJ2, Degase did not respond about the lack of places for teenagers who committed criminal acts. The body only reported that the Vacancies Regulation Center operates in accordance with a joint resolution of the State Department of Education and the Court of Justice of Rio.
